A Version Without Regret

Rewriting Memory

I was in town visiting my son one Saturday
When I told him: “later we’ll go visit grandpa”
But time ran out and other plans got in the way
I didn’t call him and that’s always been my flaw

As the week went by, I just went about my way
With work and family matters I just carried on
And it wasn’t until later, on that Thursday
When my sister called me crying saying, dad’s gone

I already knew in my heart his time was near
But I regretted not visiting or calling
After our last fight I only could shed a tear
The mending relationship had been stalling

The last time I saw my father, my heart hurt
I should’ve gone to visit him earlier that week
Instead, I stood there wishing I could revert
I kissed his forehead and my sisters kissed his cheeks

In the version without regret I would’ve called him
We would’ve had dinner that day and laughed again
We would’ve shared one last father and son embrace
I would’ve felt like that one time when I was ten

Every year on his birthday I write him a poem
We have a meal and a beer and give him props
My family gathers and it’s like he never left home
I miss him still so I’ll say – happy birthday pops